A teenager stole an iPhone from his mother to use as a ’bargaining chip’ to get money from her, a court has heard.

Nathan Briggs, aged 19, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to community service after admitting the offence.

The order will run alongside a 200-hour community service order imposed for affray of which Briggs still has 141 hours left to complete.

Prosecutor Richard Butters told the court that on Wednesday last week (June 5), police were called to the home of Briggs’ mother after an alleged assault on her by her son.

Briggs was said to have been arguing with his mother after asking her for a deposit for a flat.

He demanded money to get back his car which was being held by the police, so that he could then sell it.

During the row Briggs was said to have snatched his mother’s phone then grabbed her wrist and hit it against a wall.

The court heard that he was currently on police bail while offences of provoking behaviour and assault are investigated.

Defence advocate Winston Taylor said: ’Mr Briggs admitted taking the phone but he didn’t intend to sell it. His car is currently in police custody. He had gone to his mum’s house to get money to pay for the release of his car so he could sell it. He was going to pay her back once it was sold and use the remainder of the money for a flat deposit and rent.

’Things got heated. He grabbed the phone intending to use it as a bargaining chip. But things got out of hand.

’His mother was going to phone the police so he left.

’He was going to walk around the block then return the phone.

’But then he saw the police and dropped it. He did show police where it was.’

Briggs was ordered to do 40 hours of unpaid work.